§6907 Cooperation in Carrying Out Convention

Summary

Lets the Secretary work with federal and state agencies, public or private groups here or abroad, and, through the Secretary of State, with officials of other countries that are party to the WCPFC Convention to carry out duties under this chapter. All federal agencies may help when the Secretary asks by running scientific or other programs and by providing staff and facilities. The Secretary and the Commission may run or allow fishing operations and biological experiments at any time for scientific study. Except as described below, this chapter does not change a State’s rights in U.S. territorial waters. Federal rules made under section 6905(a) can apply inside a State that borders the Convention area if the Secretary notifies the State, the State does not ask for a hearing, and the Secretary finds the State either did not put the Commission’s recommendations into law in a reasonable time or has weaker or poorly enforced rules. Those federal rules stay in place until the Secretary finds the State is enforcing measures that are at least as strict. If the State asks for a formal hearing, the Secretary won’t apply the federal rules unless the hearing record supports the finding. The Secretary must keep reviewing State laws and enforcement.